The Concrete Truth

A friend of mine told me I need to make my post a little sexier, more provocative. Following is a feeble attempt to do so.

How many of you out there already know about HEPA filters and how they work? If you’re not hep to HEPA, then read on. For all the others out there, will someone get me a Diet Pepsi? Thanks!

HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air“, or as some like to say, “high efficiency particulate arresting” filter. HEPA filtration was developed by the government in the early 1950’s specifically for filtering the radioactive gasses in power plants before the exhaust from these plants was released into the atmosphere. Hey! If the government says they’re safe, then they must be, right? O.K., you got me there. In order to be classified as a true HEPA filter, these filters must meet specific guidelines. A HEPA filter must be capable of removing 99.97% of all airborne particles down to 0.3 micrometers or microns in diameter. Dust mites are 10-20 microns and dust mite feces is 3-10 microns in size. That’s no crap! HEPA filters work by removing these particles as the air that carries them is forced through a medium made typically of microscopic glass fibers. Because of the density of these filters, the airflow requirements are greater than most other types of filters. It’s because of this airflow requirement that HEPA filters are not normally suited for the average residential furnace. Whole house HEPA filters require a very expensive system to work properly and are generally not cost effective for the average homeowner to have installed in their home. Stand alone, or “plug-n-play” systems are the norm for individual rooms and are very effective. The only drawback to these stand alone systems is they are very noisy. Between 40-80 db (decibels). If you’re a light sleeper, these units may take some time getting used to. Some companies recognize this problem and are developing quieter units.

There are some companies that claim “HYPER HEPA” status. They have applied for and been certified by the toughest filter test in the world. The European norm 1822. Claims that these filters remove particles down to a size of 0.01 microns have been substantiated. This translates to 99.99% of particulate removal. Sounds good to me.

So break out the ear plugs and enjoy cleaner air while you try to go to sleep. Just kidding, they’re really not that bad. Considering the benefits of HEPA, any noise considerations are minor. If you have allergies or sensitivities to the “bad guys”, this is considered the best of the top five types of air purification systems you should consider.  The others being, UV-C, electronic, gas phase, and activated carbon. There are sub-catagories to electronic and mechanical filters, but believe me, the details sound like dialogue from and old Frankinstein movie.

So there you have it. HEPA as seen through the eyes of one who can’t read without his glasses.

“The air is just as free as it ever was, but it now cost more to be able to breath it.”    -Anonymous

admin Concrete Repair clean air, Hepa filters, IAQ